American Athletic Conference lays out Power 6 initiative

Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel

American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco speaks with the media in Orlando. The American released its strategic plan in hopes of pushing the narrative of joining other elite conferences like the ACC, Big Ten and SEC.

American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco speaks with the media in Orlando. The American released its strategic plan in hopes of pushing the narrative of joining other elite conferences like the ACC, Big Ten and SEC. (Stephen M. Dowell / Orlando Sentinel)

The American Athletic Conference has been pushing the narrative that the league should be considered as one of the so-called ‘power’ conferences for almost a year now. The league has even gone so far as to push a Power 6 initiative, stating the AAC should be included among the other autonomous conferences like the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC.

As part of that narrative, the American released a comprehensive strategic plan Monday which outlines what the league believes it needs to do to achieve elite status in college athletics. The report was put together with the help of the Wasserman Media Group, which deals in sports marketing and management.

“This plan is designed to be a dynamic, working document which identifies a core philosophy and which will guide us over the next several critical years, where opportunities await,” AAC commissioner Mike Aresco says in a statement attached to the plan. “This plan will support and inform our mission to be and to remain a respected Power 6 Conference whose student-athletes compete at the highest level.”